Bobbin wound motor

ABSTRACT

A motor includes a rotor and a stator. The stator is operable to electromagnetically induce movement of the rotor and includes stator teeth and a motor-board. A stator tooth includes a core material, a plurality of winding segments, and a bobbin. The bobbin includes a core receptacle for mechanically engaging the core material, radial-orientated sections to support and electrically isolate the winding segments, and connectors for electrically coupling the winding segments. The motor-board includes electrical receptacles for electrically mating with the connectors for each of the winding segments and traces for coupling the winding segments to a power source.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application is claiming prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/473,644, entitled “Bobbin Wound Motor,” filed Apr. 8, 2011, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of thepresent U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to electrical equipment and moreparticularly to electric motors.

2. Description of Related Art

As is known, there are various types of electric motors and an almostendless variety of uses for them. For instances, an electric motor maybe an AC motor (e.g., synchronous or induction), a servo motor, a DCmotor, or an electrostatic motor (e.g., magnetic motor) and may be usedin applications that range from micro-electrical systems (MEMS), to foodprocessing equipment, to household appliances, to power tools, toautomobiles, to toys, to large manufacturing equipment, etc. Basicallyany electrically powered device that uses mechanical motion includes anelectric motor.

Due to the vast uses of electric motors, they come in an almost endlessvariety of sizes, shapes, and power levels. For instance, the size of aMEMS motor is small enough to fit on an integrated circuit and suppliesnano-watts of power, while a large manufacturing equipment motor may betens of feet in diameter supplying hundreds of thousands of kilowatts ofpower. Note that power of electric motors is sometimes expressed inhorsepower, where one horsepower equals 746 watts.

Regardless of the size, shape, and power level, many types of electricmotors include a stator and a rotor. The stator includes coils thatproduce an electromagnetic field. The rotor includes a die cast squirrelcage assembly and/or magnets that, when in the presence of theelectromagnetic field, causes the rotor to rotate. Often, the speed atwhich the shaft of the rotor rotates is not the desired speed of thedevice incorporating the motor. In these instances, the motor is coupledto a separate gearbox.

As is known, a gearbox provides a speed-torque conversion. For example,a gearbox may be used to slow the rotation down and increase the torque.As another example, a gearbox may be used to increase the speed ofrotation and reduce the torque. In addition, a gearbox may be used tochange the axis of rotation such as in a right angle gearbox.

When a motor and/or a gearbox are used in an agriculture application(e.g., irrigation equipment), it must be able to withstand constantexposure to water, agriculture chemicals, and/or other environmentalconditions. For these applications, the motor is often encapsulated witha thermally conductive polymer. The geometry of the motor (inparticular, the stator), however, impairs the penetration of theencapsulating material around the copper wire of the stator windings,which leaves small sections of the stator winding insulation unprotectedby the encapsulating material that corrode over time and cause the motorto fail.

In an addition, motors that are powered by a single or three-phase powersource use an insulating film between stator coils of different phases.The end-turns of a coil are formed in spike and block presses and thenconnected with metal crimp connector to lead wires, which are insulatedwith coated fiberglass tubing. Over time, such motors are subject tofailure if varnish or insulating film fails due to a manufacturingvariation (e.g., not perfectly positioned to insulate every portion ofthe coils) and/or if movement of the end turn wires causes internalshorting of the windings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an isometric view diagram of an embodiment of a motor inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram of an embodiment of a stator and a rotor ofa motor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view diagram of an embodiment of a stator toothbobbin and corresponding motor-board section in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view diagram of an embodiment of astator tooth and bobbin assembly in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a wound statortooth in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a motor-board inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a stator inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a Y-configurationof the coils of the stator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram view of another embodiment of aY-configuration of the coils of the stator in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram view of another embodiment of coils of thestator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram view of another embodiment of coils ofthe stator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of adelta-configuration of the coils of the stator in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram view of another embodiment of adelta-configuration of the coils of the stator in accordance with thepresent invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an isometric view diagram of an embodiment of a motor 10 thatincludes a rotor 12, a stator 14, and a housing 17. The motor 10 may beused in a wide variety of applications including agriculturalapplications such as irrigation equipment. Accordingly, the motor 10 isable to withstand exposure to a variety of environmental conditions(e.g., rain, water, temperature, etc.) for many years.

The stator 14 includes a plurality of stator teeth (shown in subsequentfigures) and a motor-board 18. Each of the stator teeth includes abobbin assembly and corresponding core material (e.g., a ferrite,lamination set, T-shaped lamination, etc.). The bobbin assembly includesa bobbin and winding segments. The bobbin and core material have ageometry that allows for an encapsulating material (e.g., a thermalconductive epoxy or polymer that contains a heat conductive filler suchas calcium or alumina powder) to completely or near completelyencapsulate winding sections of the bobbin assembly that are notprotected by the bobbin.

Each bobbin includes connectors, a core receptacle, andradial-orientated sections. The core receptacle mechanically engages thecore material and the radial-orientated sections support andelectrically isolate the winding sections from each other. Theconnectors are coupled to the leads of each of the winding segments and,when the stator teeth are positioned on the motor-board 18, theconnectors mate with electrical receptacles on the motor-board 18. Forinstance, the winding segments are terminated with Amplivar-style femaleconnectors (or similar) and the motor-board electrical receptacles arethe corresponding male pins or posts. Such connectors and electricalreceptacles enable consistent automated assembly thereby reducing therisk of lead failures due to isolating manufacturing inconsistencies.

The radial-orientated sections support the winding sections and includewalls to electrically isolate the winding sections from each other. Assuch, the bobbin walls substantially eliminate phase-to-phase windinginsulation failures.

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram of an embodiment of a stator 14 and a rotor12 of a motor 10. The rotor 12 includes a plurality of magnets and/or aplurality of conductors. The stator 14 includes a plurality of statorteeth 16 and a motor-board 18. Each stator tooth 16 includes a bobbin24, winding segments 22, and a core 20. The bobbin 24 includes a corereceptacle, a plurality of radial-orientated sections (e.g., sectionsbetween walls of the bobbin), and a plurality of connectors.

In the present example, the stator includes twelve stator teeth 16, eachhaving a geometry (e.g. a trapezoidal shape from a top view perspective)that leaves gaps between the winding sections of adjacent stator teeth16. The gaps are of sufficient size to allow an encapsulating materialto penetrate them. In addition, each of the radial-orientated section issized to contain a corresponding one of the plurality of windingsegments and leave a portion of the isolating wall of the bobbinexposed. As such, the encapsulating material and the walls of the bobbinprovide reliable and consistent isolation between the winding sectionsof a stator tooth and between winding sections of different statorteeth.

Each of the stator teeth 16 is coupled to the motor-board 18 by itsconnectors and corresponding electrical receptacles of the motor-board18. The motor-board 18 further includes traces that couple the windingsections of the stator teeth to produce a three-phase, 2*n pole motor(where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1). Examples of variouscoupling of the winding segments will be further described withreference to one or more of FIGS. 6-12.

The motor-board 18 further includes traces that coupled a power sourceto one or more of the winding sections such that, when enabled, thestator 14 produces a rotating electromagnetic field (e.g., flux field,electrical field, and/or magnetic field). In the presence of therotating electromagnetic field, the magnets and/or currents induced inthe rotor bars cause the rotor 12 to rotate.

While the stator 14 of FIG. 2 is shown to include twelve stator teeth,alternate embodiments of the stator 14 may include more or less thantwelve stator teeth. For example, the stator 14 may include six statorteeth (three to produce a north pole and three to produce a south pole).In another alternate embodiment, the stator may include eighteen statorteeth (each stator teeth per pole to produce a six pole (3 north and 3south) motor. In either of these examples, the geometry of the bobbinmay be adjusted to provide a desired gap between the winding sections ofdifferent stator teeth.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view diagram of an embodiment of a bobbinassembly and corresponding motor-board 18 section. The bobbin assemblyincludes the bobbin 24 and the plurality of winding segments 22. Thebobbin 24 includes the radial-orientated sections 34, the corereceptacle 36, and the connectors 30. The motor-board 18 includes traces(not shown) and electrical receptacles 32.

Each of the radial-orientated sections 34 includes bobbin walls and abase section that encircles the core receptacle area 36 and providessupport for the corresponding winding segment 22. With such a bobbin,the winding segments 22 may be wound in the correspondingradial-orientated section 34 using an automated winding tool or otherwinding process. Accordingly, consistent dimensions of each windingsegment 22 can be achieved, which leaves consistent dimensions for anencapsulating material to encapsulate the winding segments. Note thatthe bobbin is constructed of a non-conductive material, such as plastic,fiberglass, etc.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view diagram of an embodiment of a stator tooth16 that includes the bobbin assembly and the core material 35. Thebobbin assembly includes the bobbin 24 and the plurality of windingsegments 22. The core material 35 includes two sections that mate withthe bobbin assembly via the core receptacle 36. In an example, one ofthe sections of the core includes an arm that passes through the corereceptacle. The arm includes a mechanical engaging shape at the end thatpasses through the core receptacle 36 and the other section of the corematerial 35 includes a corresponding mating mechanical engaging shape.For instance, the sections of the core may be coupled together viadovetail joint.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a stator tooth 16that includes the bobbin 24, the winding segments 22-1 through 22-3, andthe connectors 30. As shown, the outer winding section 22-1 is coupledto one pair of connectors at the outer end of the bobbin; the middlewinding section 22-2 is coupled to another pair of connectors at theouter end of the bobbin; and the inner winding 22-3 is coupled to a pairof connectors at the inner end of the bobbin.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a motor-board 18that includes a plurality of electrical receptacles 32 and a pluralityof traces 40 (only some are shown). The electrical receptacles 32 aregrouped and positioned to align with the connectors 30 of the statorteeth 16. In this diagram, the winding segments of a stator tooth 16 isrepresented by coils 22-1 through 22-3; where 22-1 represents the outerwinding segment, 22-2 represents the middle winding segment, and 22-3represents the inner winding. When the stator teeth are connected to themotor-board 18 via the electrical and mechanical coupling of theconnectors and the electrical receptacles, the traces couple the windingsegments of one stator tooth to winding segments of other stator teethto produce the connections for the poles of the motor.

For example, the inner winding 22-3 of a first stator tooth is coupledto an outer winding 22-12 of a second stator tooth, which is coupled toa middle winding 22-2 of a third stator tooth as one pole of the firstphase of the motor. Further, the middle winding 22-2 of the first statortooth is coupled to the inner winding of the second stator tooth, whichis coupled to the outer winding 22-1 of the third stator tooth as partof one pole of the second phase of the motor. Still further, the outerwinding 22-1 of the first stator tooth 16 is coupled to the middlewinding 22-2 of the second stator tooth, which is coupled to the innerwinding 22-3 of the third stator tooth as part of one pole of the thirdphase of the motor. The remaining winding segments are coupled in asimilar manner.

In this example embodiment, three winding segments (e.g., a coil) areenergized on three adjacent stator teeth to create a sinusoidal fluxdistribution in the air-gap. Note that the center coil would have moreturns and higher flux density than the two adjacent coils. For instance,the middle winding segment includes a first number of turns (e.g., 83turns); the outer winding segment includes a second number of turns(e.g., 42 or less turns); and the inner segment includes a third numberof turns (e.g., 42 turns). As such, the first number of turns is greaterthan the second number of turns, which is equal to the third number ofturns.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a stator thatincludes a plurality of stator teeth, a thermal overload circuit 44(which is optional), and a plurality of power source terminals 46. Eachstator tooth includes three winding segments that are presented asinductors 22-1 through 22-3. The winding segments of a grouping of threestator teeth are coupled as discussed with reference to FIG. 6 and/or asdiscussed with reference to one or more of the subsequent figures.

The overload circuit 44, if included, functions to disconnect the powersource from the stator in the event of an overload condition. Theoverload condition may be triggered by a current overload, a voltagesurge, a thermal overload (e.g., temperature of motor exceeds atemperature threshold), and/or other overload condition. When theoverload condition is resolved, or the overload circuit is reset, theoverload circuit reconnects the power source to the stator. Note thatthe overload circuit may be placed within the motor, but outside of theencapsulating material of the stator.

The power source terminals 46 provide, or are coupled to, terminationstuds for coupling to the power source, where the termination studsextend outside of the encapsulating material to allow for coupling ofthe power source. With such an arrangement and coupling of stator teeth,poles are distributed between the same arc measurement of atraditionally wound motor. In addition, the motor provides for a varietyof pole counts. For instance, in a three-phase configuration, atwelve-stator tooth embodiment allows for a two-pole configuration or afour-pole configuration.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a stator thatincludes three phases connected in a Y-configuration. Each phase (i.e.,coil groups 1, 2, and 3) includes four poles or coil groups, each withan inner winding 22-3 of a stator tooth coupled to an outer winding 22-1of another stator tooth, which is coupled to a middle winding 22-2 ofyet another stator tooth. In addition, each group of four poles iscoupled to a separate phase of a three-phase power source. For example,the first group of four poles is coupled to a first phase, the secondgroup of poles to a second phase, and the third group of poles connectedto a third phase.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a stator thatincludes three coil phases connected in a Y-configuration. Each of thethree phases includes a plurality of inner, middle, and outer windingsegments. With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, FIG. 9 illustrates whichinner winding segment, middle winding segment, and outer winding segmentis part of which phase. For example, winding segments with a 1 or 1′designation are part of the first phase; winding segments with a 2 or 2′designation are part of the second phase; and winding segments with a 3or 3′ designation are part of the third phase.

The “prime” designation winding segments (e.g., 1′, 2′, and 3′)indicates that the corresponding winding segment is coupled in a reversemanner than the non-prime designated segments (e.g., 1, 2, and 3). Forinstance, if the start of the winding segment (in FIG. 9) is the upperleft corner and the end of the winding segment is the lower rightcorner, then the start of a non-prime designated winding segment iscoupled to a winding segment to its left and the end of the non-primedesignated winding segment is coupled to a winding segment to its right.Conversely, the start of a prime designated winding segment is coupledto a winding segment to its right and the end of the prime designatedwinding segment is coupled to a winding segment to its left. Note thatthe loose conductors of each phase at the end stator tooth are coupledtogether (e.g., the left end) or coupled to the phases (e.g., the rightend). In this manner, the Y-configuration of FIG. 8 is achieved.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram view of another embodiment of a statorcoupled in a three-phase four-pole configuration. In this configuration,a first grouping of three stator teeth is coupled to receive phase 1 ofthe power source to produce a first pole of the stator, creating a Northor South pole, depending on the direction of current in the alternatingcurrent power supply. A second grouping of three stator teeth is coupledto receive phase 1 of the power source to produce a second pole of thestator, and since the windings are reversed from the first grouping, themagnetic pole created will be opposite the first grouping. A thirdgrouping of three stator teeth is coupled to receive phase 1 of thepower source to produce a third pole of the stator, with magneticorientation equal to the first grouping; and a fourth grouping of threestator teeth is coupled to receive phase 1 of the power source toproduce a fourth pole of the stator, with magnetic orientation equal tothe second grouping.

The coupling of the groupings of three stator teeth to one anotherand/or to the power source may be done by traces on the motor-board. Assuch, the coil group positioned on three stator teeth forms a magneticpole, and when coupled to a sinusoidal alternating wave form, create analternating north and south pole.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a stator thatincludes three phases connected in a delta-configuration. Each phase(i.e., coil groups 1, 2, and 3) includes four poles or coil groupings,each with an inner winding 22-3 of a stator tooth coupled to an outerwinding 22-1 of another stator tooth, which is coupled to a middlewinding 22-2 of yet another stator tooth. In addition, each group offour poles is coupled to a separate phase of a three phase power source.For example, the first group of four poles is coupled to a first phase,the second group of poles to a second phase, and the third group ofpoles connected to a third phase.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram view of an embodiment of a stator thatincludes three phases connected in a delta-configuration. Each of thethree phases includes a plurality of inner, middle, and outer windingsegments. For example, winding segments with a 1 or 1′ designation arepart of the first phase; winding segments with a 2 or 2′ designation arepart of the second phase; and winding segments with a 3 or 3′designation are part of the third phase. The prime and non-primedesignations were discussed with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operablycoupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of powerconnections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, oneor more its corresponding functions and may further include inferredcoupling to one or more other items. As may still further be usedherein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirectcoupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within anotheritem. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicatesthat a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides adesired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is thatsignal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparisonmay be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described, at least in part, in terms ofone or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present invention is usedherein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, a featurethereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. A physicalembodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/orof a process that embodies the present invention may include one or moreof the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described withreference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motor comprises: a rotor disposed centrallywithin a cylindrical housing; a stator operable to electromagneticallyinduce movement of the rotor when powered, wherein the stator includes aplurality of stator teeth disposed cylindrically about the rotor andbetween the rotor and the cylindrical housing, wherein a respectivestator tooth of the plurality of stator teeth includes: a bobbin that isnon-conductive and disposed having a first surface facing toward thecylindrical housing and a second surface facing toward the rotor,wherein the bobbin has one or more walls disposed between the firstsurface and the second surface to form a plurality of radially-orientedsections, wherein the bobbin has a receptacle opening extending from thefirst surface to the second surface, in which the first surface, thesecond surface and the one or more walls are shaped to form a gapbetween an adjacent bobbin of an adjacent stator tooth of the pluralityof stator teeth, and wherein the bobbin further has a core material thathas a first portion disposed adjacent the first surface and a separatesecond portion adjacent the second surface, in which the core materialextends through the receptacle opening to have the first and secondportions meet utilizing a mechanical engaging shape; and a plurality ofwinding segments wound on the bobbin, in which the one or more walls ofthe bobbin separate respective winding segments and wherein theplurality of winding segments are coupled to a plurality of connectorsformed on the bobbin; and a motor-board disposed at one end of thecylindrical housing and including: a plurality of electrical receptaclesfor electrically mating with the plurality of connectors; and aplurality of traces to couple one or more winding segments to one ormore winding segments of a different stator tooth of the plurality ofstator teeth or to a power source.
 2. The motor of claim 1, wherein thebobbin further comprises: each of the radially-oriented sections of therespective stator tooth being of a size to contain a corresponding oneof the plurality of winding segments and to support an encapsulatingmaterial that substantially encapsulates the winding segments.
 3. Themotor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of traces coupling the one ormore winding segments comprises: coupling together winding segments of afirst set of the plurality of stator teeth to produce a first magneticpole; and coupling together winding segments of a second set of theplurality of stator teeth to produce a second magnetic pole.
 4. Themotor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of traces coupling the one ormore winding segments comprises: coupling a first winding segment of afirst one of the plurality of stator teeth to a second winding segmentof a second one of the plurality of stator teeth; and coupling thesecond winding segment to a third winding segment of a third one of theplurality of stator teeth.
 5. The motor of claim 4 further comprises:the first winding segment of the first one of the plurality of statorteeth having a first number of turns; the second winding segment of thesecond one of the plurality of stator teeth having a second number ofturns; and the third winding segment of the third one of the pluralityof stator teeth having a third number of turns, wherein the first numberof turns equals the third number of turns, and the second windingsegment has a greater number of turns than the first and third windingsegments.
 6. The motor of claim 1 further comprises: termination studsmounted on the motor-board for coupling to the power source; and anencapsulating material substantially encapsulates the stator, wherein aportion of the termination studs protrudes from the encapsulatingmaterial.
 7. The motor of claim 1 further comprises: a thermal overloadcircuit operable to disconnect the power source when the thermaloverload circuit detects a thermal overload.
 8. A stator to inducemovement of a rotor of a motor when powered comprises: a plurality ofstator teeth disposed cylindrically about a central cylindrical openingfor housing the rotor and the plurality of stator teeth configured forplacement in a housing of the motor, wherein a respective stator toothof the plurality of stator teeth includes: a bobbin that isnon-conductive and disposed having a first surface facing toward thehousing and a second surface facing toward the rotor, wherein the bobbinhas one or more walls disposed between the first surface and the secondsurface to form a plurality of radially-oriented sections, wherein thebobbin has a receptacle opening extending from the first surface to thesecond surface, in which the first surface, the second surface and theone or more walls are shaped to form a gap between an adjacent bobbin ofan adjacent stator tooth of the plurality of stator teeth, and whereinthe bobbin further has a core material that has a first portion disposedadjacent the first surface and a separate second portion adjacent thesecond surface, in which the core material extends through thereceptacle opening to have the first and second portions meet utilizinga mechanical engaging shape; a plurality of winding segments wound onthe bobbin, in which the one or more walls of the bobbin separaterespective winding segments and wherein the plurality of windingsegments are coupled to a plurality of connectors formed on the bobbin.9. The stator of claim 8, wherein the bobbin further comprises: each ofthe radially-oriented sections of the respective stator tooth being of asize to contain a corresponding one of the plurality of winding segmentsand to support an encapsulating material that substantially encapsulatesthe winding segments.
 10. The stator of claim 8, wherein the pluralityof winding segments comprises: a first winding segment having a firstnumber of turns; a second winding segment having a second number ofturns; and a third winding segment having a third number of turns,wherein the first number of turns is greater than the second number ofturns and the second number of turns is greater than the third number ofturns.
 11. The stator of claim 8, wherein the bobbin has a trapezoidalfoot print in a radial direction.
 12. The motor of claim 1, whereinthere are twelve stator teeth.
 13. The motor of claim 1, wherein thereare twelve stator teeth with each stator tooth having three windingsegments.
 14. The motor of claim 1, wherein each stator tooth has threewinding segments, in which a separate phase of a three-phase powersource is applied to the three winding segments.
 15. The motor of claim14, wherein the winding segments of the plurality of stator teeth arearranged in a Y-configuration with the three-phase power source.
 16. Themotor of claim 14, wherein the winding segments of the plurality ofstator teeth are arranged in a delta-configuration with the three-phasepower source.
 17. The motor of claim 1, wherein an encapsulatingmaterial substantially encapsulates the stator and the encapsulatingmaterial is also present in the gap between adjacent stator teeth. 18.The stator of claim 8, wherein there are twelve stator teeth.
 19. Thestator of claim 8, wherein there are twelve stator teeth with eachstator tooth having three winding segments.
 20. The stator of claim 8,wherein each stator tooth has three winding segments, in which aseparate phase of a three-phase power is applied to the three windingsegments.